Propose $1,000 Stake for Every Jewish Dp to Aid Rehabilitation in New Land

November 25, 1947

Bad Reichenhall (Nov. 24)

A plan for a $200,000,000 loan to 200,000 Jewish emigrants from Germany to facilitate their resettlement in a new country was proposed here today by Dr. Philip Auerbach, Bavarian Commissioner for Persecutees. He spoke at the second annual conference of the German Federation of Polish Jews here.

Dr. Auerbach proposed that a group of Jewish bankers undertake to stake each emigrating refugee to $1,000 to set up a home when he arrives in a new country. As security for the loan and interest, he proposed pledging heirless Jewish property in Germany. At a future date, when the German economy is stabilized and its currency is unfrozen the bankers could sell the property and recover the capital and interest on the loan, he pointed out. He concluded by reporting that a group of bankers were interested in the scheme.

Forty-five undernourished Jewish children between the ages of five and fifteen today left Munich for Switzerland where they will spend three months on a convalescent vacation. The children, whose trip is sponsored by the Swiss Jewish Refugee Aid Society, will live in private Jewish homes. This is the third group to leave for a convalescent vacation, the other two having returned to Berlin and Belsen.